Systems and methods for fitness and video games

ABSTRACT

In some aspects, a system is provided that includes (1) a plurality of mobile devices; and (2) an application on each mobile device, the application adapted to (a) allow exercisers to form an exercise group; (b) track position or change in position of each exerciser in the exerciser group; and (c) display an avatar having a position that is controlled by a position or change in position of one or more member of the exercise group. Numerous other aspects are provided.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/468,444 filed Mar. 28, 2011 and entitled “SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR FITNESS AND VIDEO GAMES,” and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/472,191 filed Apr. 5, 2011 and entitled “SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR FITNESS AND VIDEO GAMES,” each of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to fitness, and more particularly tosystems and methods for fitness and video games.

BACKGROUND

Numerous applications for mobile phones, tablet computers or the likeare available for tracking fitness and exercise. Examples includeapplications that track food consumed, provide work out routines or thelike. Such applications continue to grow in popularity.

However, a need exists for mobile applications and systems that motivatean exerciser to continue exercising, exercise harder and have fun.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, a system is provided that includes (1) a plurality ofmobile devices; and (2) an application on each mobile device, theapplication adapted to (a) allow exercisers to form an exercise group;(b) track position or change in position of each exerciser in theexerciser group; and (c) display an avatar having a position that iscontrolled by a position or change in position of one or more member ofthe exercise group.

In some aspects, a method for exercising using a mobile device isprovided that includes providing an application on a first mobiledevice. The application adapted to (1) display an avatar on the firstmobile device; (2) monitor exercise performed by a user of the firstmobile device to obtain monitored exercise information; (3) communicatemonitored exercise information from the first mobile device to one ormore other mobile devices employed by one or more other users; (4)receive monitored exercise information from one or more other mobiledevices employed by one or more other users; (5) display an avatar onthe first mobile device; and (6) adjust a position of the avatar on thefirst mobile device based on monitored exercise information of the firstuser and monitored exercise information from one or more other mobiledevices.

In some aspects, an application for a mobile device is provided thatincludes program code adapted to allow the mobile device to (1) displaya video game have one or more avatars controllable by locationinformation of a user of the mobile device and location information ofat least one user of another mobile device; (2) share locationinformation for the mobile device with at least one other mobile device;and (3) obtain location information of at least one other mobile device.Numerous other aspects are provided.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following detailed description, the appendedclaims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for employing a mobile device to motivate anexerciser to exercise via communication with one or more otherexercisers through one or more other mobile devices over a communicationnetwork in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first exemplary race in which a groupmay participate and which may be displayed on a mobile device inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second exemplary race in which agroup may participate and which may be displayed on a mobile device inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary baseball game in which a group may participateand which may be displayed on a mobile device in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary social network game in which a group mayparticipate and which may be displayed on a mobile device in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary car race in which a group may participate andwhich may be displayed on a mobile device in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods thatmotivate an exerciser to continue exercising, exercise harder and havefun during exercise. For example, in some embodiments, systems andmethods are provided that allow an exerciser to employ a mobile phone,tablet or other similar portable computing device to join a group ofexercisers in an exercising program.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for employing a mobile device 102 a tomotivate an exerciser 104 a to exercise via communication with one ormore other exercisers 104 b-n through one or more other mobile devices102 b-n over a communication network 106. The exercisers 104 a-n mayform an exercise group 108. Mobile devices 102 a-n may include mobile(e.g., cellular) phones, other personal digital assistants (PDAs),tablet computers or the like which run an application 110 provided inaccordance with the present invention and described further below.Exercisers 104 a-n may be runners, cyclers, walkers or any othersuitable exercisers. Communication network 106 may be the internet, oneor more mobile telephone networks such as a 3G or 4G network, anintranet, a WiFi network or the like.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, each mobile device 102 a-nmay execute an application 110 that may:

(1) Employ GPS features of the mobile device to track position or changein position of the exerciser using the mobile device;(2) Determine change in position information of the exerciser;(3) Prompt the exerciser when and/or for how long the exerciser shouldchange position;(4) Determine speed information of the exerciser;(5) Display a representation of the position, change in position, and/orspeed of one or more exercisers on one or more of the mobile devices 102a-n;(6) Communicate messages to one or more exercisers from one or moreother exercisers;(7) Monitor and/or communicate other biometric information of anexerciser such as heart rate, step rate, pulse, distance travelled,speed, etc.;(8) Communicate position, change in position, heart rate, step rate,pulse, distance travelled, and/or other biometric information to one ormore other exercisers, a third party such as family, friends, a doctor,an insurance company, a social network, etc.;(9) Allow each exerciser to select an exercise group in which toparticipate; and/or(10) Display information about the success of one or more exercisersand/or of the group at achieving a goal (e.g., time exercised, distancetravelled, speed achieved, heart rate achieved, etc.).In one particular embodiment, the application 110 may displayinformation about and/or facilitate execution of a race in which each ofthe exercisers 104 a-n may participate. For example, the race may be arelay race, a race between two destinations such as between two cities,across the island of Manhattan, across a state or the like, a racearound the world, etc. Exerciser 104 a (Exerciser 1) may be directed bymobile device 102 a, such as by a visual and/or audio prompt, toexercise by walking, running, cycling or otherwise changing position fora predetermined time period and/or predetermined distance. In someembodiments, the application 110 may track the position of the exerciser104 a (exerciser 1) using a GPS feature of the mobile device 102 a andcommunicate the position information to the exerciser 104 a(exerciser 1) and/or to one or more of the mobile devices 102 b-n of theexercisers 104 b-n (and/or another third party if desired such as afamily member, friends, retailers and/or restaurants near the exerciser,a social network site such as Facebook, Google+ or Twitter, etc. Eachmobile device 102 a-n may display a representation of the exerciser 104a's position (and/or change in position) as the exerciser 104 a changesposition. Other biometric information may be monitored, communicatedand/or displayed such as heart rate, step rate, pulse rate, distancetravelled, speed, etc.

Once the exerciser 104 a (exerciser 1) completes his/her exercise suchas by walking, running, cycling or otherwise changing position for thepredetermined time period and/or predetermined distance, the secondexerciser 104 b (exerciser 2) may be begin exercising by walking,running, cycling or otherwise changing position for a predetermined timeperiod and/or predetermined distance. In some embodiments, theapplication 110 may track the position of the exerciser 104 b (exerciser2) using a GPS feature of the mobile device 102 b and communicate theposition information to the exerciser 104 b (exerciser 2) and/or to oneor more of the mobile devices 102 a, 102 c-n of the exercisers 104 a,104 c-n (exercisers 1, and 3-n). Each mobile device 102 a-n may displaya representation of the exerciser 104 b's position (and/or change inposition) as the exerciser 104 b changes position. Other biometricinformation also may be monitored, communicated and/or displayed such asheart rate, step rate, pulse rate, etc. (In some embodiments, theperiods in which exercisers exercise may overlap.)

The above process may repeat until each exerciser 104 a-n has completedan exercise routine. For instance, each exerciser 104 a-n may walk, run,cycle or otherwise change position one, two, three, etc., times duringthe race. Each exerciser 104 a-n may exercise the same number or adifferent number of times during the race. While the above has beendescribed with regard to exercisers changing position, it will beunderstood that other forms of exercise may be employed in which theexerciser does not change position significantly. For example, anexerciser may run or march in place, perform jumping jacks, etc., all ofwhich may be detected by changes in acceleration measured byaccelerometers within a mobile device such as a mobile phone, tabletcomputer, etc. Alternatively or additionally, heart rate, pulse or otherbiometric monitors may monitor and/or provide biometric information to amobile device and track exercise.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary race 200 in which thegroup 108 may participate and which may be displayed on each mobiledevice 102 a-n using application 110. With reference to FIG. 2, the race200 includes four destinations including a desert 202, a castle 204, acity 206 and paradise 208 that are connected by paths 210 a-c,respectively. An avatar 212 is shown traversing path 210 b betweencastle 204 and city 206. Fewer, more and/or different destinations maybe employed.

In operation, race 200 may be displayed on each mobile device 102 a-nvia application 110 running on each mobile device 102 a-n. In general,each mobile device 102 a-n need not be running application 110simultaneously and exercisers 104 a-n may launch application 110 at anytime on a respective mobile device 102 a-n (or any other suitabledevice) to check the status of avatar 212 within the race 200. In someembodiments, the program code for managing and/or administering race 200(or any video game as described below) may reside on a Web server orother server 112 (FIG. 1) in communication with the mobile devices 102a-n and/or may be managed and/or administered by a social networkingsite such as Facebook or Twitter. For example, web server 112 mayinclude program code 114 and/or one or more databases 116 for managingand/or administering the race 200, storing information regardingexercisers 104 a-n and/or their exercise activities, allowing newmembers to join the group 108, filtering potential new group members,etc. Likewise, race statistics may be displayed and/or viewed on suchsocial networking sites.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the position of avatar 212 iscontrolled by the exercise (e.g., such as change in position, heartrate, steps taken, other biometric parameters, etc.) of exercisers 104a-n. For example, exerciser 104 a (exerciser 1) may be directed bymobile device 102 a, such as by a visual and/or audio prompt, toexercise by walking, running, cycling or otherwise changing position fora predetermined time period and/or predetermined distance. In someembodiments, the application 110 may track the position of the exerciser104 a (exerciser 1) using a GPS feature of the mobile device 102 a anddisplay a change in position of the avatar 212 in response to a changein position of exerciser 104 a. In this manner the avatar 212 may travelalong paths 210 a-210 c between the various destinations 202-208. Eachmobile device 102 a-n may display the avatar 212 changing position asthe exerciser 104 a changes position. Each exerciser 104 a-n may beassigned a portion or “leg” of the race 200 to complete by moving apredetermined distance or for a predetermined time period. In someembodiments, the exercisers 104 a-n may assist one another by offeringencouragement, taking over the leg of the race 200 from anotherexerciser or the like. The avatar 212 may likewise change position basedon biometric data measured for an exerciser such as heart rate, stepstaken, pulse, etc.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a race 300 in which multiple exercisegroups 108 may compete with one another within the race 300. The race300 is similar to the race 200, but includes a separate avatar 312 a-nfor each exercise group 108. In such embodiments, the mobile device ofeach exerciser in each group may be employed to display the race 300 and(multiple) avatar positions as the exercisers compete. Any number ofexerciser groups may compete. In some embodiments, “handoffs” betweenexercisers within a group may be displayed as shown by avatar 312 nwhich indicates that the current exerciser of an exercise group isending his/her leg of the race and another member of the exercise groupis beginning his/her leg of the race.

Exercisers within a group may not wish to share actual GPS coordinateswith other members of their exercise group. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the application 110 may only communicate informationrepresentative of position or change in position of an exerciser toother mobile devices. For instance, when exerciser 104 a begins his/herleg of a race, the application 110 on the mobile device 102 a may treatthe exerciser 104 a as being at position x=0. Subsequent positions ofthe exerciser 104 a may be adjusted accordingly so as to mask actual GPScoordinates of exerciser 104 a. As mentioned, other biometric data suchas heart rate, pulse rate, step rate, other parameters mentioned inTable 1 below, or the like may be monitored and employed to affectposition, speed or the like of avatars 212 and/or 312 a-n.

As stated, in some embodiments, the program code for managing and/oradministering a race (or any video game as described below) may resideon a Web server or other server 112 in communication with the mobiledevices 102 a-n and/or may be managed and/or administered by a socialnetworking site such as Facebook or Twitter. In addition to races, othercompetitive sports activities may include a “virtual” baseball orkickball game in which accelerometers within a mobile device are used todetect a kick, jump, swing of a baseball bat (or arm/hand that mimics aswing of a baseball bat), swing of a tennis racquet, or the like. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 4, an exercise group 108 may participatein a virtual baseball game 400 in which each exerciser 104 a-n in thegroup 108 is assigned a position with an avatar 412 a-n that isdisplayed in that position on a virtual baseball field 414 displayed oneach mobile device 102 a-n. In some embodiments, a remote web server,such as web server 112 in FIG. 1, may be programmed to communicate withthe mobile device of each exerciser 104 a-n, host the virtual game,issue avatar position updates to each mobile device used by an exerciser104 a-n (e.g., based on biometric or other information received fromeach mobile device as described below).

During a game, the position and/or behavior of each avatar 412 a-d on abaseball field 414 may be controlled by the GPS location and/or otherdata measured by each mobile device 102 a-n (and/or by biometric datacollected by the mobile device 102 a-n such as heart rate, speed,cadence, pulse, etc.). For example, exerciser 1 (represented by avatar412 a) may pitch a ball to exerciser 2 (represented by avatar 412 b) bypretending to pitch a ball with his/her mobile device. For instance,exerciser 1 (represented by avatar 412 a) may hold his/her mobile devicein his/her pitching arm, and carry out a pitching motion while holdingthe mobile device. Accelerometers within the mobile device may measureforces generated during the pitch, for example, by measuring x, y and/orz axis acceleration. Each mobile device 102 a-n may display an avatarrepresentative of exerciser 1 pitching a ball and/or ball speed in the“virtual” game may be based on the real world pitch of exerciser 1(e.g., as measured by accelerometers in the mobile device of exerciser1, one or more external accelerometers in communication with the mobiledevice of exerciser 1 such as an accelerometer mounted in a write band,or the like). Exerciser 2 (represented by avatar 412 b) may hit the ballpitched by exerciser 1 (represented by avatar 412 a) by swinging his/hermobile device at the appropriate time based on the pitch of exerciser 1(represented by avatar 412 a) or by performing some predeterminedexercise requirement (e.g., running for a predetermined time, distanceand/or speed, maintaining a predetermined heart rate range for apredetermined time, or the like). Assuming exerciser 2 (represented byavatar 412 b) actually hits the virtual ball (e.g., swings his/hermobile device at the correct time or performs a predetermined exerciserequirement), each mobile device 102 a-n may display a ball being hit bythe avatar 412 b of exerciser 2. Exerciser 3 (represented by avatar 412c), who may be playing infield or outfield, may catch the ball hit byexerciser 2 by running or performing some other predetermined exerciseso as to cause his/her avatar 412 c to run toward the virtual ball hitby the avatar 412 b of exerciser 2. Exerciser 3 may “catch” the ball hitby exerciser 2 using his/her mobile device, for example. In general, alltypes of ball play may be similarly conducted using the accelerometersand/or GPS features of mobile devices 102 a-n (or external biometricmeasurement devices that provide biometric information to the mobiledevices). Other virtual games may be similarly played such as tennisfootball, basketball, hockey, volleyball, or the like. While only fouravatars are shown in FIG. 4 representing four exercisers, it will beunderstood that fewer or more exercisers and/or avatars may be employed.

Note that virtual game play may or may not be performed in real time. Insome embodiments, the position or other characteristics of an avatar maybe changed during or after exercise is performed.

In one or more embodiments, an exercise group, such as a group offriends, a group with members that share certain characteristics such assimilar age, interests, historical exercise performance, education, orthe like (which in some embodiments may be identified via a socialnetworking site), may agree to play a virtual game while each groupmember works out. For instance, one group member may wish to work out ata local gym, while another may wish to work out in his/her home, etc. Asdescribed above, each gaming device such as a cellular telephone, tabletcomputer, etc., may include an application which displays a video gamein which each group member may control one or more aspects of the videogame. For instance, each group member's exercise may control theposition, speed, movement or the like of a video game character. In thismanner a group of friends may be motivated to work out together.Similarly, an exerciser may enter a “pick up” game with previouslyunknown exercisers. In a further example, such games may be used in amatch-making embodiment (e.g., to introduce people with similarinterests and/or geographic location that meet predetermined criteriasuch as age, education, marital status, or the like). For example, afirst exerciser may be at a local health club and wish to meet anotherexerciser within the health club. He/she may send out a request forsomeone within the health club to participate and/or compete in a videogame or virtual competition. In some embodiments, an application on amobile device may be used to access a social networking cite to identifyexercise partners. For instance, the health club may maintain a Facebookor similar page that may be used to identify exercisers currently at thehealth club that may wish to interact, such as train or compete, withother exercisers at the health club. The request may include filterssuch as required characteristics of the invited exerciser (e.g., female,single, age, employment status, etc.). Accordingly, an application withsuch functionality may be provided to execute on a mobile device orother gaming device of the exercisers. Any suitable biometricinformation may be monitored during exercise such as position, speed,heart rate, cadence, etc.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary video game 500 for use bymobile devices 102 a-n via a Web server or other server 112 incommunication with the mobile devices 102 a-n and/or may be managedand/or administered by a social networking site such as Facebook,Google+ or Twitter. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a virtual farm 502 isprovided that includes crops 504, a tractor 506, a barn 508, a silo 510,chickens 512, cows 514 and/or any other typical farm items (not shown).In some embodiments, the goal of such a video game 500 may be to growmore crops, buy more land, obtain more eggs, chickens, cows or milk,plow fields, harvest crops, or the like. In accordance with embodimentsof the present invention, performance of such activities may be enhancedby exercise of one or more exercisers 104 a-n. For instance, ifexerciser 104 a is playing the video game 500, exerciser 104 a may beassigned (or establish) an exercise goal such as a number of miles towalk or run, a number of minutes to walk or run on a treadmill, a lengthof time to perform an aerobics routine, a number of jumping jacks toperform, etc. Completion of such goals may be monitored by a mobiledevice 102 a-n as previously described (e.g., through use ofaccelerometers of the mobile device or external accelerometers,GPS-features, use of heart rate monitors, verification by a third partysuch as a friend or health club staff, etc.). In exchange for completion(or partial completion) of the exercise goal, an exerciser may berewarded with more land, more or heartier crops, more cows or more milkproduction from cows, new farm animals or equipment, gas or diesel fuelfor farm equipment, more grain in the silo 510, more tokens or virtualmoney for farm item purchases, or the like.

In some embodiments, an exercise group 108 may be assigned to a farm(e.g., a community farm). Exercisers 104 a-n within the exercise group108 may be assigned farm tasks that are enhance by exercise as describedabove. Being a part of such a group may be provide additional motivationfor each exerciser 104 a-n to complete regular exercise (e.g., due topeer pressure).

Other Embodiments

The exercisers 104 a-n may wish to have a more interactive experience.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the race 200 and/or 300 may be part ofa video game in which the avatar 212 and/or avatars 312 a-n encountermonsters, snipers, assassins, wild animals, obstacles or other typicalvideo game scenarios that the avatar(s) must navigate through and/orsurvive. In this regard, if exerciser 104 a is currently exercising,his/her exercise level may directly affect video game play of either theexerciser 104 a or of the other exercisers 104 b-n. For instance,exercise of exerciser 104 a may be employed to affect the speed,striking force, game level, etc., of the avatar 212. Exemplary videogame character performance levels that may be affected by a measuredexercise parameter are shown below in Table 1. Such parameters may bemeasured using suitable sensors such heart rate monitor chest straps,pedometers, accelerometers, or the like.

TABLE 1 VIDEO GAME MONITORED EXERCISER CHARACTER PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCELEVEL LEVEL CONTROLLED pedaling rate speed, striking force stepping ratespeed, striking force rowing rate speed, striking force running ratespeed, striking force pulse rate speed, energy level, accuracy strikingforce striking force swing velocity swing velocity distance traveledgame level time exercised game level

In one example, exercise of exerciser 104 a may be used to controlspeed, striking force or game level of a video game in which avatar 212is a character. One or more of the other exercisers 104 b-n in group 108may control other parameters of the avatar 212 such as movement to theright, left, up, down, other movements such as jumping, kicking, firinga weapon, steering a car, etc. For instance, while exercising, theexerciser 104 a may not be free to use his/her hands to manipulate themobile device 102 a in a manner that would cause the avatar 212 to turnright or left, kick, jump, fire a weapon, etc. Nonetheless, the exerciseof the exerciser 104 a may be used to affect the speed, striking force,game level, etc., of the avatar 212. One or more of the other exercisers104 b-n in group 108 who is/are not exercising may use his/herrespective mobile device 102 b-n to cause movement of the avatar 212 tothe right or left, to kick, etc., or otherwise proceed through the videogame (e.g., using accelerometers within the mobile device, tapping thescreen of the mobile device, etc.) while the exerciser 104 a isexercising.

In some embodiments, primary control of the avatar 212 may pass back andforth between two or more members of an exercise group over and overduring a work out routine (e.g., as the person exercising changes). Forexample, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a video game 600 executing onmobile devices 102 a and 102 b of exercisers 104 a and 104 b,respectively. Other numbers of mobile devices and/or exercisers may beused.

Mobile devices 102 a-b include an application for the video game 600. Inthe example shown, a race car 602 is shown. Any other video game type,character, setting or the like may be used (as described above, forexample). Mobile devices 102 a-b may communicate with each otherdirectly, such as via WIFI, a cellular network, some other protocol,etc., or may communicate indirectly through a web server 112 or similarsystem. In the embodiment shown, control of the steering and/or brakingof car 602 is controlled by the exerciser 102 a or 102 b who is notexercising, while control the speed of the car 602 is controlled by theexerciser 102 a or 102 b who is exercising. Who exercises when and/orfor how long may be determined by the exercisers 102 a, 102 b, a thirdparty such as other members of an exercise group, a trainer, a retailerthat may offer rewards for completing an exercise program, or the like.For instance, in some embodiments, web server 112 may host a webinterface in which the race 600, or information or statistics about therace 600, may be observed. Through such a web interface, an exerciser orother party may enter a desired exercise duration for the game 600, whenand/or for how long each exerciser will exercise, etc. Such informationmay be communicated to the mobile devices 102 a-n before and/or duringgame play, for example.

In other embodiments, the exerciser 104 a may control such movements ofan avatar as well. In one particular embodiment, an application 110 maybe adapted to process voice commands of the exerciser 104 a to controlmovement or other behaviors of an avatar. Exemplary voice commands areshown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 VOICE COMMAND OF VIDEO GAME CHARACTER EXERCISER CHARACTERISTICCONTROLLED “L” or “Left” turn left “R” or “Right” turn right “J” or“Jump” jump “D” or “Duck” duck or drop to the ground “B” or “Back” moveback “K” or “Kick” kick “F” or “Fly” flyIn other embodiments, another sound of exerciser 104 a may be used tocontrol the avatar, such as a “clacking” sound. For instance, theexerciser 104 a may clack his/her tongue once to turn right, twice toturn left, thrice to jump, etc., similar to Morse code. In someembodiments, the exerciser 104 a may select/record sounds that are to beinterpreted by the application 110 to correspond to turning left orright, jumping, ducking, kicking with a left or right leg, flying, etc.

Additional Embodiments

In some embodiments, a gaming device such as a mobile telephone, tabletcomputer, or the like, may include a video game with characteristicsthat change based on the number of other gaming devices near the gamingdevice. For example, an application may be provided for execution onmobile devices. The application may monitor whether mobile devices arewithin a predetermined geographic area of one another, such as by usingGPS location information from each mobile device. Characteristics of avideo game running on one or more of the mobile devices may depend on orotherwise be affected by the number or proximity of other mobile devices(e.g., video game characteristics such as the number or position ofvideo game characters within the video game, the landscape or backgroundcharacteristics of the video game, etc.). In some embodiments, biometricinformation collected by each mobile device such as heart rate, speed,etc., similarly may be used to affect the video game by affecting thespeed, strength, position, etc., of characters within the video game).Further, in some embodiments, certain game levels, movements, etc., mayonly be possible within the video game if a large enough (or smallenough) number of mobile devices are present within a predeterminedlocation.

In some embodiments, the video game may communicate with a socialnetworking site such as Facebook, Google+ or Twitter, and such socialnetworking sites may identify or notify friends or affiliated groups ofthe presence of friends or members within a particular geographic area(e.g., using GPS features of mobile devices). Such friends or affiliatedgroups may be prompted to participate in video games or to otherwiseinteract.

In one or more embodiments, video game characteristics of a video gamemay be affected by location information of the mobile device executingthe video game. For instance, a user may only enter a certain game levelif he/she is physically located at a particular location such as arestaurant, a mall, a computer store, a city, a monument, or the like.The user's position may be determined, for example, using GPS featuresof the mobile device.

In yet other embodiments, location information from mobile devices maybe collected and/or aggregated to track position, travel habits, etc.,of a group of people such as lawyers, doctors, gamers, etc., that aremembers of a social network. In fact, a virtual world or map may begenerated by tracking the position of one or mobile devices during anygiven time period. In some embodiments, such information may be used toaffect video game characteristics such as game environment, number ofvideo game characters, or the like.

The foregoing description discloses only exemplary embodiments of theinvention; modifications of the above disclosed apparatus and methodwhich fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, any number ofperformance levels of an exerciser may be monitored and used to controlany number of performance levels of a video game character. Further, oldvideo games may be modified for use with the present invention, or newvideo games may be developed.

In some embodiments, exercisers may join exercise groups via a socialnetworking site such as Facebook, Google+ or Twitter. Such socialnetworking sites may collect information on the exercisers and makerecommendations for exercise groups based on age, weight, type ofexercise, geographic location or the like.

In some embodiments, exercisers training for a marathon or otherexercise goal may be identified by a social networking site (e.g., basedon hobbies, interests, or other identifying data posted by the exerciseron the social networking site). One or more exercisers, or the socialnetworking site itself, may invite like exercisers to join a traininggroup. In some embodiments, retail businesses such as clothing stores,restaurants, cellular telephone providers, or the like, may offermembers of the group discounts such as reduced rate clothing, discountedmeals, reduced cell phone rates or free minutes (e.g., for calls betweengroup members) or the like.

In some aspects, a method for exercising using a mobile device isprovided that includes providing an application on a first mobiledevice. The application adapted to (1) display an avatar on the firstmobile device; (2) monitor exercise performed by a user of the firstmobile device to obtain monitored exercise information; (3) communicatemonitored exercise information from the first mobile device to one ormore other mobile devices employed by one or more other users; (4)receive monitored exercise information from one or more other mobiledevices employed by one or more other users; (5) display an avatar onthe first mobile device; and (6) adjust a position of the avatar on thefirst mobile device based on monitored exercise information of the firstuser and monitored exercise information from one or more other mobiledevices. The monitored exercise information may exchanged between mobiledevices via a remote web server, such via a social network web siterunning on the remote web server.

In some aspects, an application for a mobile device is provided thatincludes program code adapted to allow the mobile device to (1) displaya video game have one or more avatars controllable by locationinformation of a user of the mobile device and location information ofat least one user of another mobile device; (2) share locationinformation for the mobile device with at least one other mobile device;and (3) obtain location information of at least one other mobile device.In some embodiments, the program code may be adapted to allow a user ofthe mobile device to join an exercise group; and communicate locationinformation for the mobile device with mobile devices of other membersof the exercise group. In some embodiments, the program code may beadapted to communicate with mobile devices of other members of theexercise group through a social network web site. In additionalembodiments, the program code may be adapted to switch control of motionof the avatar on the mobile device between the user of the mobile deviceand a user of another mobile device.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed inconnection with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understoodthat other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention, as defined by the following claims.

1. A system comprising: a plurality of mobile devices; and anapplication on each mobile device, the application adapted to: (a) allowexercisers to form an exercise group; (b) track position or change inposition of each exerciser in the exerciser group; and (c) display anavatar having a position that is controlled by a position or change inposition of one or more member of the exercise group.
 2. A method forexercising using a mobile device comprising: providing an application ona first mobile device, the application adapted to: display an avatar onthe first mobile device; monitor exercise performed by a user of thefirst mobile device to obtain monitored exercise information;communicate monitored exercise information from the first mobile deviceto one or more other mobile devices employed by one or more other users;receive monitored exercise information from one or more other mobiledevices employed by one or more other users; display an avatar on thefirst mobile device; and adjust a position of the avatar on the firstmobile device based on monitored exercise information of the first userand monitored exercise information from one or more other mobiledevices.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein monitored exercise informationis exchanged between mobile devices via a remote web server.
 4. Themethod of claim 3 wherein the monitored exercise information isexchanged between mobile devices via a social network web site runningon the remote web server.
 5. An application for a mobile devicecomprising: program code adapted to allow the mobile device to: displaya video game have one or more avatars controllable by locationinformation of a user of the mobile device and location information ofat least one user of another mobile device; share location informationfor the mobile device with at least one other mobile device; and obtainlocation information of at least one other mobile device.
 6. Theapplication of claim 5 further comprising program code adapted to: allowa user of the mobile device to join an exercise group; and communicatelocation information for the mobile device with mobile devices of othermembers of the exercise group.
 7. The application of claim 5 where theprogram code is adapted to communicate with mobile devices of othermembers of the exercise group through a social network web site.
 8. Theapplication of claim 5 further comprising program code adapted to switchcontrol of motion of the avatar on the mobile device between the user ofthe mobile device and a user of another mobile device.